2003 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 90 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was under the truck working on it and the truck was on I had the emergency brake on and the truck went into reverse and ran me over”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2026
“The wires for the camshaft position sensor are failing just like they have in others models of the f series and cause the truck to suddenly die while driving. There was already a recall in place but it doesn't cover this vin and so I would like to request the recall be extended to this trucks vin”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2021
“Just driving on highway 41 and it just stopped. Engine went dead. Pulled over to side of road and tried starting again and it wouldnt start. Had to get it towed. Its been in shop for 20 days. Needs a new fuel tank because the inner lining is peeling and particles are going through engine! Need help I purchased this truck in 2015 and its been in shop 7 different times.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
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“My dome and running board lights on my 2003 ford f350 super duty, 4 door truck, stay on when I am driving and when the vehicle is turned off and locked. Also while driving, the dash vehicle light is red showing that all 4 doors are open. Ican be parked or moving, the lights stay on. Both my batteries drain. So I hav to carry jumper cables.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350. While driving 50 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and the dealer was not contacted as of yet. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a neck fracture that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350 equipped with bf goodrich rugged terrain t/a tires, size: 285/75/16. While driving 75 mph, the front passenger side tire sustained tread separation. The contact stated that there was damage down to the fender and fender well of the vehicle. The contact stated that the tire was still fully inflated. The contact stated that aaa was able to replace the tire, but all of the remaining tires also showed evidence of tread separation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and dot number were unknown. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 150,000 and the tire failure mileage was 20,000.”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2017
“Driving along loud noise pulled over to find a spark plug blew out of the engine block taking the threads with it. No fire thank goodness!”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“I thought my foot slipped off the brake and taped the rear end of the car in front of me. Scratched the bumper of the car I tapped. I was on I 95s towards fredericksburg, va when my brake warning light came on. Taped brake and the pedal almost went to the floor, but I did have some braking. Got the truck to the repair shop, diagnosed will hole in brake line caused by rust. Replaced 18 ft of line. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350. The contact stated that the engine coolant level was found to be prematurely low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, who advised the contact that the head gasket head bolts were defective. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350. The contact stated that smoke began emerging from under the hood. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that there was a hole in the fuel line and diesel fuel had leaked onto the engine. The dealer stated that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 158,057.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford F-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 90 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:tail lights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.